Many students around CSUN and Los Angeles went out to cast their ballots for the midterm elections, hoping for a better change around these difficult times that includes the cost of living, reducing homelessness and a better education.
Two mayors are running in the mayoral election: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and city councilmember Nithya Raman, who are both in a tight and contentious race. Mayor Bass hopes to run for a second term, while Raman hopes to win the mayor’s office as an urban activist for Los Angeles.
However, many students have expressed their disappointment in how Bass is addressing the issues Angeleinos are facing. Students are voting for Raman over Bass because they believe Raman, as an urban activist and Angelino herself, will bring better change for students and young adults.
“To me, what is most important is the affordability crisis because the cost of housing is very expensive and I think Karen Bass has had the opportunity to do something about it but she hasn’t, so I’m voting for Nithya Raman because she’s had a plan for affordable housing,” said Roberto Reyes, a senior student studying business.
Bass appeared at CSUN on Oct. 29 during a fireside chat hosted by the Black Student Union. Bass spoke about the young generation getting involved in politics and encouraged students to make their voices heard. Kari Higgins, a senior psychology major, mentioned that students believed Bass said little to nothing about homelessness in Los Angeles.
“A lot of people did mention homelessness in her lack of change but she emphasized on getting people more housing and promoting specific housing for students and things like that, because a lot of people do struggle a lot after high school,” said Higgins.
Kevin Haghi, a junior business major, does not support Bass because of what he believes was a poor response to the wildfires in the Palisades in 2025.
“Me and my family were affected by those fires, and we can see the lack of funding the fire department had and Bass took that away, so probably won’t be voting for her just because I don’t feel like she did a very good job on her part”, Haghi said.
